Bridle-bit.



Patented Aug. 8, I899.

A. M. PENDLETON.

BRIDLE BIT.

(Application filed May 4, 1898.)

3 Sheets-Sheet I.

(-No Model.)

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No. 630,515., Patented Aug. 8, 1899.

. A. M. PENDLETON.

BRIDLE BIT.

(Application filed May 4, 1698.)

3 Sheet 2- No. 630,5l5. Patented Aug. 8

A. M. PENDLETDN.

BRIDLE BIT.

(Application filed May 4, 1898.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 3,

' No Modal.)

U IT STATES P TENT QFFJICE.

ALBERT M. PENDLETON, OF SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH.

BRlDLE-BIT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 630,515, dated August8, 1899.

Application filed May 4, 1898. Serial No. 679,714. (No model.)

To a. whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ALBERT M. PENDLE- TON, a citizen ofthe UnitedStates, residing at Salt Lake City, in the county of Salt Lake, State ofUtah, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bridles, ofwhich the following is a description, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

My invention relates toharness, and more particularly to checkingdevices, my object being primarily to present a structure which whenapplied to the animal will cause him to hold his head in properposition. More specifically the device is intended to prevent an animalfrom lugging at the bit, chewing the bit, pulling to one side or theother, hearing upon the bit, 850., and also to enable the driver orrider to keep his horse under perfect control.

To these ends, and also to present in detail a useful and efficientchecking deviceand the various parts thereof, my invention consists inthe various matters hereinafter described and claimed.

Generally speaking, the device comprises a supporting member to besecured to the animals head, a checking-bit adapted to lie in the mouth,and a strap secured to the bit, passing over a suitable bearing on thehead member, and then being secured to a chinstrap or itself forming achin-strap. Thus it will be apparent that when the chin of the animal islowered, as When lugging or opening the mouth, the check-bit is raisedand caused to bear upon the roof of the mouth or at some other point.Preferably the strap is attached to each end of the bit, so that it israised evenly, and means are provided for locking either side ofthe bitor both sides against movement. Suitable guides are provided for thepart-s and other.details are pre sented.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of one formof my device, the position being that assumed when the check is atrest-in the animals mouth. Fig. 2 is a detail of one of the'side guides.Fig. 3 is a view of the checking-bit, the chin-strap, and the strapsconnecting these two members, the sai'd'parts being detached from theremaining portions of the article. Fig. 4 is side elevation of thechecking-bit. Fig. 5 is a top plan view thereof. Fig. 6 is a detail ofthe'locking member. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of one 'side of thepresent device, the locking member being shown in looking position. Fig.8 is a perspective view of a second form of my device, the position ofthe parts being. similar to that shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 9 is a sideelevation of the form shown in Fig. 8, the checking-bit, the chin-strap,land the strap connecting these two members gbeingremoved. Fig. lO'is aside perspective of one of the side guides shown in Fig. 8," the bitbeing in place. I Fig. 11 is' a top .plan view of the bit shown in Fig.8. Fig.12 is a top plan view of a modified form of checking-bit.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, A represents anose-strap composed of the central plate a and side straps a with theirbuckles a suitable straps, as a extending from said central plate forattachment to the usual water-hook, as shown in Figs. 1 and 8, or to thecrown-piece of the bridle, as shown in Fig. 12. Attention is firstdirected to the form shown in Figs. 1 to 7, both inclusive. guides .13are attached to the nose-strap by the side straps a, and, as here shown,each guide comprises a frame having side bars 1), top and bottom bars b,and an intermediate transverse bar b slightly below the top bar, saidintermediate bar being supported by cars 17 upon the side bars. In thisway the frame presents two slots or openings b and bithrough the upperof which, M, the side strap a passes. For a purpose to be more fullyhereinafterdescribed the intermediate bar is preferably provided with aroller b of any convenient construction.

The checking-bit i's indicated by C and in the form here shown comprisesa substantially broad plate having a raised central portion 0, adaptedto bear against the roof of the mouth when the bit is raised. A loop 0is provided near each end forthe attachment of a strap, and in each endof the bit is an opening c through which the bit-strap passes, as willbe below referred to. Preferablyslots c are provided between the centralportion and each end, a transverse strip or bar c 'lying between eachslot and its neighboring In this structure side.

opening these bars 0 being provided with rollers 0 To each loop a isattached a bitstrap D, which passes upwardly along the inner side of itsguide-frames B, through the opening Z) in said frame and over the roller1), then downwardly along the outer side of the frame, through theopening 0 in each end of the bit, and then each bit-strap is secured tothe chin-strap D. It is manifest that but one bit-strap could beemployed and that the lower central portion of this could form thechin-strap, while the ends could be carried over the rollers Z1 andattached to the cheek-bit.

The above construction being understood and it being borne in mind thatthe nose-strap is connected to the water-hook or some other portion ofthe harness which is immovable relatively to the movement of the headmembers, the operation will now be apparent. Should the horse lug hishead the chin will of course bear upon the chin-strap, and the downwardmovement of said strap through the bit-strap causes the check-bit torise in the animals mouth and to bear forcibly upon the roof of thesame, the force being augmented by the leverage of the bit-straps. Thismovement also tends to raise the chinstrap by the down ward pressure onthe checkbit. Should the horse chew his bit, each movement of the underjaw causes the bit to rise. In fact, any movement of the head againstthe chin-strap forces the bit upwardly.

Certain other features are to be considered before leaving this firstform. vided for the bit to relieve strain on the bitstraps when the bitis in its lowest position and also to limit its downward movement. Ashere shown, this rest and stop comprise a plate (I, attached to thebit-strap, the upper end of said plate being curved outwardly anddownwardly to form a hook (1, adapted to rest upon the lower cross-barof the guide-frame B. Preferably the loop (Z extends upwardly andoutwardly from the end of the hook, and through this loop passes thebit-strap, an additional guide for said strap being thus presented. Aroller (1 is placed upon the top bar of the loop. In the constructionhere shown the bit-strap is brought through the bit-loop c and its endcarried up on the outside of the main portion of the strap. The plate dis then applied outside of the end of the strap and the parts secured byrivets 61 through the three elements, thus producing a strong union andsecurely holding the end of the bit-strap. There is also provided meansfor locking the bit against upward movement. This consists of what maybe termed a buckle-plate E upon each bit-strap, the said buckle-platebeing applied between the bit and the loop upon the rest. Thisbuckleplate is merely a plate having slots 6, with an intermediatetransverse bar 0, provided with a pin or teat c adapted to engage asuitable hole (1 in the bit-strap, said strap passing A rest is pro-.

over the transverse bar and thro n glr the slots, as shown. Manifestlywhen the buckle-plate is in the position shown in Fig. 1 it can movedownwardly until it meets the bit, and the bit can consequently beraised. This buckleplate is of course of such size that it cannot passthrough the opening 0 in the bit, and when adjusted against the bit,with the bit in its lowermost position, as shown in Fig. 7, it preventsthe bit from rising even when pressure is exerted upon the chin-strap.For ease in adjusting the sides of the buckle-plate are hollowed out, asat 6 By the use of these locking members the bit can be prevented fromrising or its upward movement can be -limited. Furthermore, this deviceis useful in preventing side pulling of the horse. If the animal pullsto the right, the left side of the bit is locked and the right side leftfree to move, when a side lug will cause the right side of the bit toexert pressure upon the animals mouth, and thus cause him to throw hishead straight. For a horse which pulls to the left the oppositearrangement of parts is made.

The second form of the present devicc--[. 8., the form illustrated inFigs. 8 to 1lis now to be considered. This form is partieularlyadaptedfor use upon an extremely hard-pulling or hard-mouthed animal, and by itgreater force is exerted. The nose-strap, with its straps for attachmentto the water-hook, remain as in the first-described construction. Thereis provided, however, a lever-frame F, which has the side members Fsecured together and properly braced by the barf between the said sidemembers at their forward ends and the arched tie f intermediate of theends of each lever. The side guides B are similar to the said guides ofthe first form, but are made integral with the side members F. Thislever-frame is supported by the straps a of the nose-strap passingthrough openiirgsf in the side members, while the forward ends of theside members have eyes f forthe attachment of overdrav-straps inawell-known manner. These straps a, together with strap (0*, providemeans for supporting the lever-frame independent of the overdraw whichis to conneet with the eyes f as before described, and the straps G g,to be presently described, also assist in holding the lever-frame inposition independent of the overdraw. It will now be apparent that tothe force of the parts employed and as assembled in the first-mentionedstructure is added the force of the overdraw-straps acting through theside pieces, which form levers pivoted to the nose-strap. In order toprevent the forward ends of the lever from falling when the head of thehorse is in proper position, a second or rear chinstrap G is employed,this rear chin-strap being secured to eyes f in the rear ends of theside members F and preferablyhavinga short strap g, provided with a loop9 to be engaged by the throat-latch, whereby the rear chinstrap isitself prevented from falling or work- IIO ing forward out of its properposition. Thus the animal is relieved from unnecessary pressure whenholding his head properly, but is severely punished when lugging, &c.

A form of bit differing slightly from that shown in connection with thefirst structure and havingslightly-difterent connection with the sideguide and chin-strap is here shown. In the form here illustrated the bitis provided with T ends, the shank c of which lies in the slot 5 of theside guide, while the loops 0' are provided at the ends of the bit andoutside of the guides B, the openings 0 being intermediate the ends ofthe bit and inside the side guides. The bit-straps are secured to theloops, pass upwardly along the outer side of the guides over therollers, and then extend downwardly on the inner side of the guidesthrough the openings 0 and then to the chin-strap. Either form of bit,with its connections, is of course applicable to either structure.

Obviously the character of check-bit employed in my device can bechanged as occasion may demand. WVith some horses-e. 9., those whoseupper lips have a tendency to turn inwardly along the teeth-asubstantially straight bar-bit, as heretofore described, might cause thelip to be pinched and out against the teeth in the upward movement ofsaid bit, and to obviate this the form of bit shown in Fig.-12 isprovided. This bit has forwardly-extending portions 0 whose outer edgesincline outwardly from the forward part of the extensions toward thebody portion of the bit, such inclined portions being here lettered 0 Bythis bit when itis raised the inclined portions 0 engage the inner sideof the lip and move said lip outwardly, thus preventing it being caughtand pinched between the teeth and the bit.

I am aware that heretofore it has been proposed to secure a driving-lineto a bit, carry said line backwardly over a pulley attached to a bridle,bring the line forward again, pass it about the bit, and then carry itbackwardly as usual, the bit being thereby operated by the lines throughthe medium of the pulleys. I am also aware that it has been proposed toguide bits in frames, and that it has further been proposed to providecheck-straps of halters with rings at their lower ends, secure a strapat one end to a check-piece, pass said strap downwardly and through aring upon a bit, carry the strap upwardly and through the ring in thecheck-piece, pass the strap across below the animals chin, where it isbrought through the ring in the second-checkstrap, then downwardly andthrough the ring in the end of the bit not first engaged, and finallycarry the free end of the straps upwardly and secure the same to thesecond check-strap, the purpose being to attach a hitching-strap to theunderhanging portion of the strap engaging the bit ends, whereby whenthe animal pulls backwardly against the hitching-strap the bit is throwninto the mouth-corners. I am not aware, however, that it has beenproposed to so attach a bit that in the movement of the animals chin itwill be caused to bear forcibly upon the horse nor that any of thestructures set up in the accompanying claims have been heretoforecontemplated by others.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. A device of the nature indicated comprising a supporting member, abit below the same, and a flexible member secured to said bit, passingover a support upon the supporting member, and being then attached to achin-strap; substantially as described.

2. A device of the nature indicated,"comprising a nose-strap, a bit, achin-strap, and a flexible member secured to the bit, passing overasupport upon the nose-strap thence down through openings at the bit endsand being then secured to the chin-strap and adjustable stop devices onthe flexible member above said bit-openings; substantially as described.

3. A device of the nature indicated, comprising a nose-strap, a bithaving an opening therein, a chin-strap, and a flexible member securedto the bit, said flexible member passing over a support upon thenose-strap, then passing through the opening in the bit and being thensecured to the chin-strap; substantially as described.

4. A device of the nature indicated, comprising a support, side guidesdepending from opposite sides thereof, a bit in sliding connection atits ends with said guides, a chin-strap below the bit, and a flexiblemember secured to the bit, passing upwardly over a support at the upperends of said guides and thence downwardly to the chin-strap;substantially as described.

5. A device of the nature indicated, comprising a support, side guidesdepending from opposite sides thereof, a bit, a chin-strap below thebit, straps extending from the ends of the chin-strap upwardly oversupports at the upper ends of the side guides and thence downwardlythrough bit-loops and plates secured to the bit-straps adjacent to wherethey connect with the bit and provided with hooked upper ends engagingthe side guides; substantially as described.

6. A device of the nature indicated comprising a support havingdepending side guides, a bit in sliding connection at its ends with saidguides and provided with end open ings, a chin-strap below the bit,bit-straps extending from the bit upwardly over supports at the upperends of the side guides and thence IIS downwardly through thebit-openings to the porting member, a projection upon the bit enteringthe guide, a loop upon said projection, a chin-strap, and a strapsecured to the bit, passing over a support upon the supporting member,thence through the loop upon the projection and through the opening inthe bit, and then being attached to the chin-strap; substantially asdescribed.

8. In a device of the nature indicated, a lever-frame having sidemembers, means for pivotally supporting said frame upon the animal,means upon the lever-frame for the attachment of an overdraw, a bit, achin-strap, and a strap connected to said bit, said strap passing over asupport upon a side-frame member and then being attached to thechinstrap; substantially as described.

9. In a device of the nature indicated, a lever-frame having sidemembers provided with depending side guides, a bit in sliding connectionat its ends with said guides, a chinstrap below the bit, bit-strapsextending from the bit over supports at the upper ends of the sideguides and thence downwardly to the ends of the chin-straps;substantially as described.

10. In a device of the nature indicated, a lever-frame having sidemembers provided with depending sideguidegabitin slidingconnection atits ends with said side guides,'a chinstrap below the bit, bit-strapsconnecting the ends of the bit with the ends of the chin-strap foroperation thereby, 'an overdraw connected to the lever-frame and meansfor supporting the lever-frame in position irrespective of the overdraw;substantially as described. I

11. In a device of the 'characterxlescribed, a lever-frame having sidemembers connected at their front ends and there provided with overdrawconnections, side guides depending from the lever-frame, adownwardly-curved strap connecting the rear ends of the levers andprovided with a throat latch-strap, a nosestrap, a bit in slidingconnection at its ends with the side guides, a chin-strap below the bitand bit-straps extending over guides and operatively connecting the endsof the bit with the said chin-strap substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ALBERT M. PEN DLETON.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM Ronnnrs, MARY RANDS.

